Ontario is waiving the mandatory five-day isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19, the province`s chief medical officer of health announced Wednesday. However, Moore said the province is moving away from COVID-19-specific guidelines in favor of an “all-virus approach,” meaning the new isolation guidelines will also apply to other illnesses such as influenza. Self-isolation guidelines are different for those working in the most at-risk environments. If you have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or are in close contact, contact your employer for advice on self-isolation and returning to work. Masks should be worn for about 10 days after the self-isolation period ends, Moore said, but it won`t be mandatory to do so. Some people can transmit the virus to others even after ending their self-isolation as described above. For this reason, Niagara Region Public Health encourages (but does not require) two negative rapid COVID-19 tests (ideally 24 hours apart) before leaving isolation. Find free rapid tests near you. If it has been 10 days since your symptoms started and you continue to test positive for these tests, but your symptoms have improved, you can leave isolation. Ontario has lifted its mandatory five-day isolation rule for people who test positive for COVID-19 as part of an “all-respiratory virus approach” in preparation for an expected increase in general illness in the fall.
Self-isolation means staying home and avoiding situations where you might come into contact with other people. If your test is positive but you have no symptoms, it is recommended that you self-isolate until you get two rapid negative COVID-19 tests (ideally 24 hours apart). This is to increase confidence that you are not passing the virus on to others. If you continue to test positive 10 days after your first positive test, but still have no symptoms, you can leave isolation. Even if your tests are negative, you will need to self-isolate for the full 10 days unless you are fully vaccinated or have recently had a COVID-19 infection and meet the criteria to be exempt from self-isolation. To date, Toronto Public Health has investigated every case of COVID-19 and followed up on their close contacts. Until further notice, provincial staff will first contact COVID-19 cases to provide instructions on isolation, testing and notification of household and other close contacts, as well as assessing cases to determine if the individual has been involved in a high-risk situation. If a case of COVID-19 is linked to a high-risk environment, the case will be referred to Toronto Public Health for contact tracing related to the high-risk environment. Close contacts of cases are advised to self-isolate, regardless of vaccination status. People who are self-isolating may experience a variety of feelings, including fear, anger, sadness, irritability, guilt, or confusion.
The following resources can help you through this difficult time: On August 31, 2022, the Ontario government and its Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, know that Ontario will no longer require a five-day isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19. This measure supports Ontario`s transition from a COVID-19 “crisis phase” to a “respiratory virus” approach. You do not need a test to show that you have recovered from COVID-19 or to end your isolation. A new test is not recommended because you can still test positive for several weeks even if you are no longer contagious. Symptoms should also improve before leaving isolation. If you are a household contact of someone with COVID-19, you will need to self-isolate, regardless of your vaccination status. Your self-isolation may end when your household member with COVID-19 ends their isolation, assuming you do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If your immune system is weakened, you should self-isolate for 10 days after your last close contact with the person with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, see the Symptoms page for advice. Self-isolation (separating people who have symptoms so they cannot infect others, including close family members) is necessary to prevent the spread of a virus in a community.
If you have questions about self-isolation or can return to work, call the COVID-19 Helpline 416-338-7600. Businesses and organizations can implement their own rules and policies regarding mask wearing in their settings, and Ontarians should respect and follow these rules. In addition to the general requirements and guidance above for masks, workers may have separate personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements than their employer.
